As a young boy I always envisioned myself disappearing to some far-off corner of the world to explore and live an exciting life. I would daydream about possible careers, trying to find a way in which I could combine travel and new experiences with an enjoyable occupation.

I coasted through education, keeping my options as open as possible, never really able to picture where my life was headed. I was eventually coerced into making some sort of a decision as I crept closer to further education. I had a curiosity about animals, a love of the ocean, and a passion for the environment, which compelled me in the direction of zoology – with a hope of heading abroad in the future to study or research.

I chose this internship not because of the location or the fantastically charismatic study species, but down to the scientific prowess of the station.

So, where would I go to advance my knowledge and pursue my ocean-based aspirations? Clearly a landlocked, rainy university in Manchester… It’s not the most likely candidate you might think, but it boasted a program which allowed me to travel as part of my degree, along with a potential sandwich year to gain ‘Industrial Experience’, which was a real clincher.

The first few semesters of university certainly didn’t help my occupational uncertainty. I drifted from lecture to lecture, and had little drive to excel while I had no clear prospects. Field trips to South Africa and France would spark my interest, but it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to start looking for a placement abroad that I really began to feel excited about Zoology.

As I searched through the most exotic marine internships I could find, there was one that truly captured my imagination, a shark research station in the Bahamas. Now as much as I am sure you won’t believe me, considering my self-indulgent ambitions to see the world, embark on adventures and have fun, I chose this internship not because of the location or the fantastically charismatic study species, but down to the scientific prowess of the station